[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"page:what-we-do\u002Fnews-stories\u002Fgig-blog\u002F2024\u002Frain-or-shine-i-have-to-deliver-to-make-ends-meet-working-as-a-gig-worker-in-pakistan-between-climate-change-and-lack-of-security":3},{"id":4,"slug":5,"title":6,"short_title":7,"intro_text":8,"meta_description":9,"seo_title":10,"path":11,"content_type":12,"locale":13,"go_live_at":7,"first_published_at":14,"page_created_at":15,"published_at":14,"edit_url":16,"breadcrumbs":17,"seo":30,"body_blocks":38,"call_to_action":44,"categories":51,"owner":7,"authors":52,"image":53,"related_pages":54,"related_sites":55,"in_subsite":56,"contact_page_url":57,"banner_message":58},5215,"rain-or-shine-i-have-to-deliver-to-make-ends-meet-working-as-a-gig-worker-in-pakistan-between-climate-change-and-lack-of-security","- Rain or shine, I have to deliver to make ends meet. - Working as a Gig Worker in Pakistan Between Climate Change and Lack of Security",null,"Blogs from Wageindicator interns - This summer, temperatures in Pakistan hit a record 52.2°C. But outdoor gig workers face year-round challenges: scorching heat waves, monsoon storms, floods, and winter smog. As informal workers without health security, climate change makes them even more vulnerable.","Blogs from Wageindicator interns - This summer, temperatures in Pakistan hit a record 52.2°C. But outdoor gig workers face year-round challenges: scorching heat waves, monsoon storms, floods, and winter smog. As informal workers without health security, …","","\u002Fwhat-we-do\u002Fnews-stories\u002Fgig-blog\u002F2024\u002Frain-or-shine-i-have-to-deliver-to-make-ends-meet-working-as-a-gig-worker-in-pakistan-between-climate-change-and-lack-of-security","pages.contentpage","en","2024-08-09T14:45:00+00:00","2026-03-23T08:45:50.876567+00:00","\u002Fcms\u002Fpages\u002F5215\u002Fedit\u002F",[18,21,24,27,29],{"title":19,"slug":20},"What We Do","what-we-do",{"title":22,"slug":23},"News and Stories","news-stories",{"title":25,"slug":26},"Gig Blog","gig-blog",{"title":28,"slug":28},"2024",{"title":6,"slug":5},{"title":6,"description":9,"image":31,"canonical":32,"robots":33,"og_type":34,"twitter_card":35,"locale":13,"created_at":36,"last_modified_at":37},"https:\u002F\u002Fwageindicator.org\u002Fmedia\u002Fimages\u002FSocial_media_preview_image_-_2025.2e16d0ba.fill-1200x630.png","https:\u002F\u002Fwageindicator.org\u002Fwhat-we-do\u002Fnews-stories\u002Fgig-blog\u002F2024\u002Frain-or-shine-i-have-to-deliver-to-make-ends-meet-working-as-a-gig-worker-in-pakistan-between-climate-change-and-lack-of-security\u002F","index, follow","website","summary_large_image","2024-08-09T16:45:00+02:00","2026-04-02T22:39:46.809588+02:00",[39],{"type":40,"data":41},"raw_html_block",{"content":42,"variant":43},"\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>Before reading the blog, test your knowledge! ⬇️⬇️⬇️\u003Cbr\u002F>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cdiv class=\"flourish-embed flourish-quiz\" data-src=\"visualisation\u002F18969715\">\n\u003Cscript src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpublic.flourish.studio\u002Fresources\u002Fembed.js\">\u003C\u002Fscript>\n\u003Cnoscript>\u003Cimg alt=\"quiz visualization\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpublic.flourish.studio\u002Fvisualisation\u002F18969715\u002Fthumbnail\" width=\"100%\"\u002F>\u003C\u002Fnoscript>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>\u003Cspan>This blog was written by one of the students who joined the WageIndicator Gig team during their \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwageindicator.org\u002Fabout\u002Fget-involved\">\u003Cspan>Internship Program\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cspan>\u003Cem>. The internship also allows the interns to contribute to the \u003Ca data-linktype=\"external\" data-plone_href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgigpedia.org\u002Fresources\u002Fnews#gsc.tab=0\" data-val=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgigpedia.org\u002Fresources\u002Fnews#gsc.tab=0\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwageindicator.org\u002Fwhat-we-do\u002Fnews-stories\u002Fnews\u002F\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ne\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca data-linktype=\"external\" data-plone_href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgigpedia.org\u002Fresources\u002Fnews#gsc.tab=0\" data-val=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgigpedia.org\u002Fresources\u002Fnews#gsc.tab=0\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwageindicator.org\u002Fwhat-we-do\u002Fnews-stories\u002Fnews\u002F\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ws\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca data-linktype=\"external\" data-plone_href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgigpedia.org\u002Fresources\u002Fnews#gsc.tab=0\" data-val=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgigpedia.org\u002Fresources\u002Fnews#gsc.tab=0\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwageindicator.org\u002Fwhat-we-do\u002Fnews-stories\u002Fnews\u002F\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> collection\u003C\u002Fa> and create \u003Ca data-linktype=\"external\" data-plone_href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgigpedia.org\u002Fresources\u002Fvisuals#gsc.tab=0\" data-val=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgigpedia.org\u002Fresources\u002Fvisuals#gsc.tab=0\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwageindicator.org\u002Fwhat-we-do\u002Fvisuals\u002F\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">visuals\u003C\u002Fa> to give an overview of different platform economy topics\u003C\u002Fem>.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Author: Asawari Bhagwat - FLAME University\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cimg alt=\"kashif-afridi-Ps5b7OVVM4E-unsplash\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwageindicator.org\u002Fmedia\u002Fimages\u002Fkashif-afridi-ps5b7ovvm4e-unsplash-5531fa3c223.width-320.jpg\"\u002F>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>A LinkedIn \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fposts\u002Fclrpakistan_foodpanda-heatwave-swiggy-activity-7212062586035445760-ibgT\u002F\">\u003Cspan>post\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan> by the Centre for Labour Research, a Pakistan-based labour rights organisation, highlights the inaction of platform companies and the government during the 2024 heat wave. The absence of articles about the actions of Pakistani delivery platforms to protect workers from climate change prompted me to write this blog and dig deeper.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Immediate action would be required in the current situation: temperatures in the Pakistani province of Sindh rose to a \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.reuters.com\u002Fworld\u002Fasia-pacific\u002Fpakistan-temperatures-cross-52-c-heatwave-2024-05-27\u002F\">\u003Cspan>record-breaking 52.2°C\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan> in May this year. Maximum temperatures ranged from \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.dawn.com\u002Fnews\u002F1835518\">\u003Cspan>36.7°C in Karachi to 49°C in Larkana and Dadu\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan>. More than \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002Fcn05rz3w4x1o\">\u003Cspan>500 people were reported to have died of heat-related causes\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan> in Karachi in six days in June.  \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aljazeera.com\u002Fgallery\u002F2024\u002F4\u002F16\u002Fheavy-rains-lightning-in-pakistan-kill-at-least-50-people\">\u003Cspan>Torrential rains fell in Pakistan\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan> (Peshawar and Islamabad) in April 2024 and flooded the streets killing at least 50 people. Over \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hrw.org\u002Fnews\u002F2023\u002F12\u002F06\u002Fpakistans-air-pollution-shortens-lives#:~:text=Fair%20Finance%20Pakistan%2C%20an%20organization,real%20number%20is%20likely%20higher.\">\u003Cspan>128,000 people have passed away due to air pollution\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan>.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Due to extreme weather and environmental issues (like smog), outdoor gig workers in Pakistan, such as food, grocery, and parcel delivery drivers, face challenges year-round: heat waves in summer, storms and floods during the monsoon, and smog in winter. Climate change worsens these conditions, disproportionately affecting outdoor workers, including vulnerable individuals like the elderly, who are increasingly part of the global gig workforce.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Worse still, there are higher risks of workplace incidents in Pakistan as the Eurofond\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.eurofound.europa.eu\u002Fen\u002Fpublications\u002F2024\u002Fjob-quality-side-climate-change\">’s research\u003C\u002Fa> found that the risk increases by 10-15% when temperatures rise above 38°C. Amnesty International also \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amnesty.org\u002Fen\u002Fdocuments\u002Fasa33\u002F6823\u002F2023\u002Fen\u002F\">published a report\u003C\u002Fa> that spoke of a \"burning emergency\" in Pakistan, an emergency that affected more workers in the informal sector.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>What makes app-based delivery workers part of the vulnerable group?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Rasheed, a Pakistani rider in Lahore, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftribune.com.pk\u002Fstory\u002F2370614\u002Friders-putting-their-lives-at-risk-for-paltry-commissions\">\u003Cspan>says\u003C\u002Fspan> \u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan>“Rain or shine, I have to make deliveries to make ends meet”. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Riders and drivers are constantly exposed to the weather as their work involves moving from one location to another. They work long hours, drive and ride in heavy rain, breathe bad air, and experience exhaustion and dehydration, a condition that makes them prone to heat stroke. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>These outdoor gig workers are also among the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.betterhealth.vic.gov.au\u002Fhealth\u002Fconditionsandtreatments\u002Fskin-cancer-protecting-outdoor-workers\">\u003Cspan>highest risk groups for skin cancer\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan> given their prolonged unprotected exposure to the sun and ultraviolet radiation.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Besides, as \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffair.work\u002Fen\u002Fratings\u002Fpakistan\u002F\">\u003Cspan>independent contractors\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan>, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan>they are unable to access government health care benefits like accidental insurance and social security, and in most cases, they \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan>have to pay for their medical treatments. An issue that will weigh even more heavily on their backs as climate change worsens.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan> \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>Other Side Effects: The Relationship with the Customers\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Two other factors to consider are the relationship between gig workers and their clients and some particularly vulnerable categories of gig workers.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Extreme weather conditions make it difficult for riders and drivers to work and deliver their services on time. Being late results in the workers facing mistreatment or verbal harassment by customers and restaurant management.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Heavy rains put them at risk, as motorcycles and bicycles are \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftribune.com.pk\u002Fstory\u002F2370614\u002Friders-putting-their-lives-at-risk-for-paltry-commissions\">\u003Cspan>more likely to skid\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan>.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan> \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>Among the Vulnerable: When Climate Change Affects Older Gig Workers\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Even among gig workers, vulnerability varies as per age. The \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Frestofworld.org\u002F2024\u002Faging-global-gig-workers\u002F\">\u003Cspan>Rest of World’s article\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan> reveals that a growing number of older individuals are forced into gig work due to the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Frestofworld.org\u002F2024\u002Fpakistan-elderly-gig-worker-health\u002F\">\u003Cspan>soaring cost of living, increasing poverty and pervasive unemployment\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan>. This population is bound to become larger in the future.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>The older gig worker population suffers greater risks as most of them might already have health issues due to the nature of their work and age. Basharat Burak, a 56-year-old Careem driver, says\u003C\u002Fspan> \u003Cspan>that his health has deteriorated due to driving so much. He also does not drink sufficient water as he can’t keep taking washroom breaks, and risks dehydration.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan> \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>Are the delivery and e-hailing companies doing anything?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Foodpanda is the only company in Pakistan that seems to have taken some\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fstartuppakistan.com.pk\u002Fsupporting-delivery-riders-through-extreme-weather-conditions\u002F?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3IIXq-9Wax3n8iYiBbD9opXCOS4rAtmbreBu4MX_uxe9eDUA8OE54XjOE_aem_XuoMmkjFJp0KicRpcqg_Jg\"> \u003Cspan>initiative to provide relief\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan> to delivery workers during the 2024 heat wave. They have set up rest areas known as ‘aram-gaahs’ at offices, the company’s grocery stores, kitchens, eateries, and riders’ hubs. Some of these places also consist of misting fans and provide wet towels, caps, and refreshing drinks to the riders. The company is also testing out products like bike umbrellas.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Aside from the case above, there is a lack of action by gig companies in Pakistan to provide relief or assistance to gig drivers and riders during such times. This is evident from the lack of articles on mainstream and social media reporting this issue. Careem Pakistan, for instance, has only \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002Fcareempakistan\u002Fphotos\u002Fa.418557201681137\u002F1046939668842884\u002F?type=3\">\u003Cspan>one post related to the heat wave\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan> on its Facebook account from five years ago, which just asks the passengers to greet their Captains (drivers) with a bottle of cold water. However, they have not done anything else apart from that.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan> \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>What about the Government?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fclr.org.pk\u002Fpakistan-labour-laws\u002F\">\u003Cspan>Pakistan’s provincial Occupational Health and Safety Acts\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan> mention protecting workers from hazards, but nothing regarding protecting them from extreme weather events or any climate-related event. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Something more specific came from Punjab, a province in Pakistan, which published a \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fepd.punjab.gov.pk\u002Fsystem\u002Ffiles\u002FPCCP%20DRAFT%201.12.pdf\">\u003Cspan>climate change policy draft\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan> in 2023. The Disaster Preparedness, Management, and Emergency Response section, mentions “Analyse[ing] how floods, droughts, and heatwaves impact women, men, and children differently due to social roles, access to resources, and mobility. Develop[ing] action plans addressing their specific needs”.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Signs of attention to the issue also came from the province of Sindh, where the Government came up with a \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdocc.sindh.gov.pk\u002Ffiles\u002FDoCC\u002FDocuments\u002FSindh%20Climate%20Change%20Policy%202022%20(Final).pdf\">\u003Cspan>Climate Change Policy\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan> in 2022.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>However, as \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftimesofindia.indiatimes.com\u002Fcity\u002Fchandigarh\u002Fimplementing-punjabs-climate-change-plan-will-need-collaborative-effort\u002Farticleshow\u002F111668816.cms\">\u003Cspan>pointed out\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan> by Asar Social Impact Advisers, an organisation dedicated to solving the challenges of climate change, \"ensuring that the plan moves from a policy document to actual implementation would require a collaborative effort\" from civil society, industry, elected representatives, and government.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan> \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>It’s a global issue\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>The Pakistani companies can take inspiration from initiatives abroad.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>For instance, in Kuwait, Deliveroo is investing in including \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmenafn.com\u002F1108436398\u002FDeliveroo-Kuwait-Launches-Summer-Initiatives-to-Support-Riders-Wellbeing\">\u003Cspan>motorbike bar muffs, cooling towels, and cooling vests\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan> in the rider kits to lower body temperature and protect the hand from the sun's heat. It is also providing riders with windshield visors (to prevent overheating) and insulated water bottles (for cold water).\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Platform companies in Vietnam and Thailand charge \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.eco-business.com\u002Fnews\u002Fheatwave-fee-for-asias-gig-workers-does-little-to-cool-climate-stress\u002F\">\u003Cspan>weather fees\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan> for extreme heat and rain. However, it is a meagre amount, and sometimes pushes drivers to work even harder to earn more.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>In India, Zomato, a food-delivery gig company, on the other hand, requested its users to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftimesofindia.indiatimes.com\u002Ftechnology\u002Ftech-news\u002Fheatwave-in-india-zomato-has-a-request-from-customers\u002Farticleshow\u002F110642962.cms\">\u003Cspan>not order during afternoons\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan> (12 pm to 4 pm) due to the extreme heat wave that India was facing in May and June 2024. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan> \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\u003Cstrong>What’s next?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>As the Centre for Labour Research underlines, it is imperative that Pakistan's platforms implement immediate solutions and that both the federal and provincial governments work to enact laws and regulations regarding labour issues related to climate change.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Pakistan is considered the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmoderndiplomacy.eu\u002F2024\u002F06\u002F04\u002Fthe-plight-of-labourers-during-heat-waves-in-pakistan\u002F\">\u003Cspan>fifth most vulnerable country to climate change\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan>, and this scenario is likely to worsen due to unplanned urbanisation, urban expansion, and deforestation.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>It's time to recognize that this is not a problem of the future and to take strong action to provide some relief to outdoor workers, including those who provide on-site services through platforms.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>","light",{"text":45,"link":46},"Contact us",{"title":45,"url":47,"description":45,"rel":48,"type":49,"id":50},"\u002Fabout\u002Fcontact","follow","internal",24590,[],[],"https:\u002F\u002Fwageindicator.org\u002Fmedia\u002Fimages\u002Fkashif-afridi-ps5b7ovvm4e-unsplash-5531fa3c223.width-400.jpg",[],[],false,"\u002Fwork\u002Fliving-wages\u002Fcontact-us","\u003Cp>Welcome to WageIndicator. Same organisation, same information, new look!\u003C\u002Fp>"]